MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
Wednesday, June 14, 2000
2 p.m.
Senate Chamber
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Human
Services was held on Wednesday, June 14, 2000, in the Senate
Chamber at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair Senator Chris Harris
Senator John Carona, Vice Chair
Senator David Bernsen
Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 2 p.m. There being a
quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The chair laid out the April 19, 2000, minutes and called for
revisions. There being none, Senator Carona moved their
approval. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
The chair made opening remarks and announced that the purpose of
the hearing was to adopt recommendations submitted to the Senate
Committee on Human Services regarding interim charges issued by
Lt. Governor Rick Perry.
The chair called invited panelists to serve as resource
witnesses regarding the continuum of care and support options
available to Texans in need of long-term care and the
implementation of SB 374 by Senator Judith Zaffirini and
Representative Patricia Gray, relating to the provision of
certain long-term care services, to the continuation and
functions of the Texas Department on Aging, and to the eventual
consolidation of the Texas Department of Human Services and the
Texas Department on Aging into a new agency on aging and
disability services.
The following persons served as resource witnesses:
Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services
Commission, 4900 North Lamar, 4th Floor, Austin, Texas
78711-3247.
Eric Bost, commissioner, Texas Department of Human
Services, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas 78714-9030.
Don Henderson, legislative liaison, Texas Department of
Mental Health and Mental Retardation, 909 West 45th Street,
Austin, Texas 78711-2668.
Susan Penfield, Children with Special Health Needs
Division, Texas Department of Health, 1100 West 49th
Street, Austin, Texas 78756.
Mary Sapp, executive director, Texas Department on Aging,
4900 North Lamar, Austin, Texas 78756.
David Durden, associate commissioner, governmental
relations, Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe
Street, Austin, Texas 78714-9104.
The chair laid out long-term care consensus recommendations
1-24.
CONSENSUS RECOMMENDATIONS
Written Motion No. 1
I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature direct
the Texas Department of Human Services to conduct a new time
study/ recalculation of the TILE or other case-mix system for
Medicaid nursing facility reimbursement to better account for
varying resource needs of nursing home residents.
Written Motion No. 2
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would establish a temporary license for
facility operators going through the change of ownership
process.
Written Motion No. 3
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct the Texas Department of
Human Services to maintain a list of operators with excellent
regulatory records to be made available in a change of ownership
situation.
Written Motion No. 4
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would allow the Texas Department of
Human Services, at the request of a facility owner, to conduct
architectural reviews prior to the construction or remodeling of
nursing facilities.
Written Motion No. 5
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would add direct care staff employed by
home health agencies, the Texas Department of Mental Health and
Mental Retardation, local community mental health and mental
retardation centers and other providers, as appropriate, to the
list of employees covered by the Texas Department of Human
Services Employee Misconduct Registry.
Written Motion No. 6
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would establish a long-term care local
access fund, to be administered by the Health and Human Services
Commission, to support local initiatives to improve access to
long-term care services. The commission should prioritize
initiatives that utilize Internet technologies to provide
information, referral and assessment for local services.
Written Motion No. 7
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would require the Department of
Insurance to produce and disseminate a consumer guide to
long-term care insurance that includes information regarding the
history of prices charged by insurance companies for long-term
care insurance.
Written Motion No. 8
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would establish joint training for
health and human service agency caseworkers to increase their
awareness and knowledge of the services available to children
within their agency and among other agencies.
Written Motion No. 9
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct the Health and Human Services Commission to
investigate "shared parenting," "extend-a-family" and "friends
of the family" concepts in other states' systems of foster care
for children with special health care needs outside of
protective and regulatory agencies.
Written Motion No. 10
I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature direct
the Health and Human Services Commission to evaluate the
effectiveness of the Medicaid nursing facility rate methodology
to incentivize increased direct care staffing and consider the
feasibility of additional incentives to improve quality of care
and quality of life for residents.
Written Motion No. 11
I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature
increase funding for Medicaid nursing facility reimbursements.
Written Motion No. 12
I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature
increase funding for the full range of home and community-based
services, including adult day care, home health services,
respite services, attendant care and other services.
Written Motion No. 13
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would include routine preventive dental
services to nursing home residents as basic services under the
Texas Medicaid program, contingent upon federal waiver approval.
Written Motion No. 14
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would provide tuition assistance for
licensed vocational nursing students who agree to practice in
long-term care settings.
Written Motion No. 15
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would revamp the criminal history
background check process for long-term care employees by
expanding the number of employees covered under such
requirements and expediting access to background information.
Written Motion No. 16
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would clarify the appropriate
admissibility of Texas Department of Human Services survey
documents in civil lawsuits against nursing facilities.
Written Motion No. 17
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would allow for-profit nursing
facilities to purchase liability insurance from the Joint
Underwriting Association.
Written Motion No. 18
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would expand housing options for the
elderly and people with disabilities by establishing a housing
vouchers program at the Health and Human Services Commission for
individuals moving from institutional to community care
settings.
Written Motion No. 19
I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature direct
the Health and Human Services Commission to consider a modeled
rate for adult day care reimbursement with the possible
inclusion of a case-mix reimbursement.
Written Motion No. 20
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct health and human service
agencies to make permanency planning procedures more consistent
across agencies and facilities for children in institutions or
considering placement in an institution.
Written Motion No. 21
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would require appropriate health and
human service agencies to implement procedures to ensure that
people with disabilities (or their parents/guardians) residing
in institutions or at risk of such a placement have access to
information about the full range of care options and assistance
in utilizing those options if they choose to do so.
Written Motion No. 22
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would allow children with special health
care needs, who would otherwise qualify for nursing home
services, to qualify for Medicaid or equivalent benefits, to
allow families to provide home care.
Written Motion No. 23
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would revise the definition of
abandonment to include cases where a family has placed a child
in an institution, but has no further contact with the child.
Written Motion No. 24
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would establish an advisory committee to
develop a plan for dealing with emergency financial crises at
institutions, particularly those serving large numbers of
children, and address the problem of facilities with recurring
violations.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of long-term care consensus
recommendations 1-24. Senator Gallegos seconded the motion.
There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous
consent.
The chair laid out long-term care member priority
recommendations 25-30.
MEMBER PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS
Written Motion No. 25
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would provide a franchise tax credit for
employers that contribute to long-term care insurance for their
employees, employees' spouses or parents, equal to 20 percent of
the costs incurred by the employer, with a maximum credit of
$5,000 or $100 for each employee covered by the plan, whichever
is lower.
Written Motion No. 26
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would provide a full range of
administrative penalties for use by the state to sanction
assisted living facilities that do not meet standards.
Written Motion No. 27
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would establish guidelines for updated
definitions and policies relating to restraints, seclusions and
emergency medications in residential facilities (e.g., nursing
homes, psychiatric hospitals, ICF-MRs, assisted living centers
and residential child care facilities).
Written Motion No. 28
I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature
increase funding for Texas Department of Human Services audit
staff to investigate the financial viability of nursing
facilities.
Written Motion No. 29
I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature expand
statewide the Community Alzheimer's Resource and Education
program at the Texas Department of Human Services by adding four
additional sites.
Written Motion No. 30
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would modify the Primary Home Care (PHC)
program at the Texas Department of Human Services to:
C Allow three medications per month for Frail Elderly program
recipients;
C Allow greater nurse delegation of tasks to home health
aides;
C Allow presumptive eligibility reimbursement to speed the
initiation of services for new clients.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of long-term care member
priority recommendations 25-30. Senator Bernsen seconded the
motion. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
The chair called invited panelists to serve as resource
witnesses regarding the services provided to hardest-to-serve
adult welfare recipients and services provided to children
receiving welfare.
The following persons served as resource witnesses:
Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services
Commission, 4900 North Lamar, 4th Floor, Austin, Texas
78711-3247.
Eric Bost, commissioner, Texas Department of Human
Services, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas 78714-9030.
Diane Rath, commissioner, Texas Workforce Commission, 101
East 15th Street, Austin, Texas 78778-0001.
Patrick Bresette, associate director, Center for Public
Policy Priorities, 900 Lydia Street, Austin, Texas 78702.
The chair laid out welfare consensus recommendations 1-4.
CONSENSUS RECOMMENDATIONS
Written Motion No. 1
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas
Department of Human Services and the Texas Workforce Commission
to define hardship exemptions that adequately address hardship
circumstances and barriers some clients may face exiting TANF
prior to the time-limits running out.
Written Motion No. 2
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would include state recognition of
nonresidential family violence centers and authorize their
funding with state appropriations to the Texas Department of
Human Services for the Family Violence program.
Written Motion No. 3
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct the Texas Department of Human Services and the
Texas Workforce Commission to develop a cross-agency plan,
especially at the local level, for identifying and addressing
barriers to work among the hardest-to-serve clients.
Written Motion No. 4
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct the Texas Department of Human Services to form an
office standards workgroup (including legislative staff,
advocates, service providers and stakeholders) to improve the
TANF, Medicaid and Food Stamps eligibility, application and
review processes at DHS by:
a) reviewing client communication;
b) establishing uniform standards across DHS regions;
c) reviewing Food Stamp error rate reduction measures;
d) developing comprehensive performance measures;
e) exploring the use of extended hours based on regional needs;
and
f) reviewing TANF policy for counting resources.
The legislation should direct the Department of Human Services
to implement recommendations of the workgroup, where
appropriate, and report to the legislature on the findings of
the workgroup.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of welfare consensus
recommendations 1-4. Senator Bernsen seconded the motion. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The chair laid out welfare member priority recommendations 5-14.
MEMBER PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS
Written Motion No. 5
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human
Services to implement a new screening/assessment process, based
on a review of best practices, to help identify clients with
highest level of need and barriers to work. The
screening/assessment process is to be used to improve case
management, referral to community-based services and to help
local workforce contractors design appropriate employability
plans and support services.
Written Motion No. 6
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would require the Texas Department of
Human Services, the local workforce boards and the Texas
Workforce Commission staff to have a minimum of four hours
training about domestic violence and its impact on the ability
of TANF clients to meet requirements.
Written Motion No. 7
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human
Services and the Texas Workforce Commission to create incentives
for local offices that design and implement effective case
management tools for identifying hardest-to-serve clients and
addressing their needs.
Written Motion No. 8
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct the Texas Workforce
Commission to:
C develop a Choices incentive program that encourages placement of
TANF clients in higher wage jobs by local workforce board
contractors;
develop program guidelines for local workforce boards on
post-employment services that recognize the difficulty many
working clients will have in acquiring additional education
and training once they are employed; and
encourage local workforce boards to provide post-employment case
management for the hardest-to-serve clients.
Written Motion No. 9
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human
Services, in conjunction with imposing any family-related
sanction in the TANF program, to:
C investigate why a family is being sanctioned, determine what
resources could assist the family in meeting requirements,
make appropriate referrals and follow up with local support
services; and
develop a services strategy, to be implemented at the local
level, for addressing the needs of children in TANF
families.
Written Motion No. 10
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human
Services to:
C revise the TANF vehicle resource limit to exclude the value of
one vehicle when determining a family's assets;
define "TANF-related" services or programs, such as resource and
referral services, and allow families with vehicles above
the Food Stamp resource limit who qualify for these
services to also qualify for Food Stamps under expanded
federal "categorical eligibility" rules; and
if federal legislation is enacted that gives states the option
to exclude the value of one vehicle for the purposes of the
Food Stamp asset test for all Food Stamp recipients,
exercise that option.
Written Motion No. 11
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct the Department of Human Services to:
C eliminate face-to-face requirements and allow mail-in
eligibility or telephone re-certification for children's
Medicaid; and
eliminate the assets test for children's Medicaid.
Written Motion No. 12
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct the Department of Human Services to adopt 12-month
continuous eligibility for children's Medicaid.
Written Motion No. 13
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human
Services to develop a plan to roll out the Employment Retention
and Advancement (ERA) pilot project to all regions over a 7 year
period, with the statewide roll-out to occur only if the data
collected from the current sites indicates a positive effect on
the employment outcomes of current and former TANF recipients
served by this project.
Written Motion No. 14
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct the Department of Human Services to:
C allow phone-in recertification for Food Stamp clients who are
working or in job training; and
require only one face-to-face DHS office interview annually for
these clients.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of welfare member priority
recommendations 5-14. Senator Bernsen seconded the motion.
There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous
consent.
The chair called invited panelists to serve as resource
witnesses regarding federal developments related to long-term
care and welfare issues.
The following persons served as resource witnesses:
Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services
Commission, 4900 North Lamar, 4th Floor, Austin, Texas
78711-3247.
Eric Bost, commissioner, Texas Department of Human
Services, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas 78714-9030.
Diane Rath, commissioner, Texas Workforce Commission, 101
East 15th Street, Austin, Texas 7877-0001.
Kathy Eckstein, team manager, Federal Funds, Legislative
Budget Board, P.O. Box 12666, Austin, Texas 78733.
Patrick Bresette, associate director, Center for Public
Policy Priorities, 900 Lydia Street, Austin, Texas 78702.
The chair laid out federal developments relating to long-term
care and welfare consensus recommendations 1-4.
CONSENSUS RECOMMENDATIONS
Written Motion No. 1
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would:
C endorse the process utilized by the "Promoting Independence"
plan to direct HHSC and HHS agencies to ensure the
appropriate care setting for people with disabilities;
C direct agencies to ensure that such efforts provide for
timely and appropriate transfer of consumers from
institutional to community placements and prevent the
unnecessary institutionalization of those in the community
who are at imminent risk; and
C require HHSC to report on the status of implementation to
the legislature and make recommendations for needed
statutory and appropriation action.
Written Motion No. 2
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human
Services to impose a greater penalty for non-compliance with the
child support program for families of seven or more for a single
parent and six or more for two-parent families.
Written Motion No. 3
I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature
increase funding for childcare for current and former TANF
clients, including infant care, weekends, shift hours and other
services.
Written Motion No. 4
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct the Texas Department of Human Services to utilize
TANF maintenance-of-effort (MOE) funds for assistance and
services to two-parent families.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of federal developments
relating to long-term care and welfare consensus recommendations
1-4. Senator Gallegos seconded the motion. There being no
objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The chair laid out federal developments relating to long-term
care and welfare member priority recommendations 5-9.
MEMBER PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS
Written Motion No. 5
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would:
C maintain a $25 financial penalty for 6 months for a drug or
alcohol-related misdemeanor conviction;
allow TANF/Food Stamp clients with non-trafficking drug
felonies who have completed any sentencing, are in
compliance with parole/probation and are participating in
or have completed a subtance abuse treatment to receive
assistance; and
place limits on how many times such clients may access benefits.
Written Motion No. 6
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would expand transitional supports for
those leaving welfare to work to include ongoing educational
opportunities, job coaching, emergency assistance,
transportation assistance, housing-related supports, health
care, better access to child care and other supports.
Written Motion No. 7
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct the Department of Human
Services and the Texas Workforce Commission to:
C require all adults receiving cash assistance to participate in
work activities within 24 months;
design activities to meet the needs of those clients with
significant and continuing barriers to work; and
continue assistance for those unable to work within the 24-month
deadline if barriers to work persist.
Written Motion No. 8
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would define allowable work activities
for TANF recipients.
Written Motion No. 9
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct the Department of Human Services to continue to
provide an additional six months of transitional Medicaid
benefits to exempted Choices volunteers.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of federal developments
relating to long-term care and welfare member priority
recommendations 5-9. Senators Bernsen and Gallegos seconded the
motion. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by
unanimous consent.
The chair called invited panelists to serve as resource
witnesses regarding the implementation of HB 2641 by
Representative Patricia Gray and Senator J.E. "Buster" Brown,
relating to the continuation and functions of the Health and
Human Services Commission.
The following person served as a resource witness:
Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services
Commission, 4900 North Lamar, 4th Floor, Austin, Texas
78711-3247.
The chair laid out HB 2641 member priority recommendation 1.
MEMBER PRIORITY RECOMMENDATION
Written Motion No. 1
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct the Health and Human
Services Commission to submit advance copies of official
submissions to the federal government regarding waiver
applications and state plan amendments to the House Public
Health, House Human Services, Senate Health Services and Senate
Human Services Committees.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of HB 2641 member priority
recommendation 1. Senator Bernsen seconded the motion. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The chair called invited panelists to serve as resource
witnesses regarding the effects of additional resources provided
to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.
The following persons served as a resource witnesses:
Karen Eells, deputy director of programs, Texas Department
of Protective and Regulatory Services, 701 West 51st
Street, Austin, Texas 78714-9030.
Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services
Commission,, 4900 North Lamar, 4th Floor, Austin, Texas
78711-3247.
Senator Gallegos moved that the Texas Department of Protective
and Regulatory Services provide the Senate Committee on Human
Services with a report about what the agency is doing
to address the issue of abandoned babies in Harris County.
There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous
consent.
The chair laid out PRS consensus recommendations 1-12.
CONSENSUS RECOMMENDATIONS
Written Motion No. 1
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would extend Medicaid or other health
care funding options for foster children until age 21.
Written Motion No. 2
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would increase the subsidy given to
adoptive families who adopt children with special needs.
Written Motion No. 3
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory
services to increase unannounced inspections of child care
facilities designated as high risk.
Written Motion No. 4
I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature
increase funding for a statewide Department of Protective and
Regulatory Services respite care program based on the
department's respite care pilot.
Written Motion No. 5
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would include Department of Protective
and Regulatory Services registered drop-in day care centers in
the training requirements for child care providers.
Written Motion No. 6
I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature
increase funding to expand Department of Protective and
Regulatory Services home visiting services and offer a menu of
programs based on identified community need and support.
Written Motion No. 7
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct the Texas Department of
Protective and Regulatory Services to add child abuse prevention
information to the posters displayed at business organizations
providing child care.
Written Motion No. 8
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct appropriate institutions of higher education and
state agencies to report to the legislature and the Health and
Human Services Commission about efforts to serve children age
zero to three and recommendations to enhance collaboration and
coordination of these efforts.
Written Motion No. 9
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct the Texas Education Agency to amend current rules
requiring teachers to report child abuse and neglect by adding a
requirement to inform teachers about how to recognize child
abuse and neglect.
Written Motion No. 10
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would direct the Department of
Protective and Regulatory Services and the Texas Education
Agency to collaborate to include child abuse prevention and
awareness information in the state's education curriculum for
students.
Written Motion No. 11
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft proposed legislation that
would direct the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory
Services and the Children's Trust Fund to develop and implement
an infant mortality prevention education program throughout the
state using persons and organizations with specific experience,
such as the Child Fatality Review Teams or the SIDS Alliance.
Written Motion No. 12
I move that the Committee direct the committee staff to work
with the Legislative Council to draft into proposed legislation
a statutory change that would expand the authority for the
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services to obtain
criminal background information on certain applicants,
employees, volunteers or persons living in an adoptive or foster
home where a child in Child Protective Services conservatorship
will reside.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of PRS consensus
recommendations 1-12. Senator Gallegos seconded the motion.
There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous
consent.
The chair laid out PRS member priority recommendation 13.
MEMBER PRIORITY RECOMMENDATION
Written Motion No. 13
I move that the Committee recommend that the legislature
increase funding to the Department of Protective and Regulatory
Services for drug testing to verify client, relative or
household member use or non-use of controlled substances; and
adult treatment, assessment and drug screenings.
Senator Carona moved the adoption of PRS member priority
recommendation 13. Senator Bernsen seconded the motion. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
With no other business to come before the committee and upon a
motion by Senator Carona, the chair recessed the committee by
unanimous consent at 2:26 p.m., subject to the call of the
chair.
___________________________________
Judith Zaffiirni, Chair
___________________________________
Scott Caffey, Committee Clerk